IN CONJUNCTION WITH T. L. ARENS' WORK IN THE EPIC
"DARK STORM RISING', TORQ'S CAFE HAS ILLUSTRATED A BIOGRAPHY FOR CENTRAL CITY AND FORTRESS MAXIMUS. FOR THOSE OF
YOU WHO ARE NOT FULLY AWARE, THIS IS A FICTITIOUS ASSEMBLY AND YOU WILL
NOT FIND CENTRAL CITY, MT SAINT HILLARY OR FORTRESS MAXIMUS ON ANY REAL MAP.
ALL SCREEN CAPS ARE (C) SUNBOW PROD. AND HASBRO 1984

CENTRAL CITY/FORTRESS MAXIMUS
(AUTOBOT CITY), OREGON

Central City and Autobot City
Fortress Maximus are located in
Douglas County, Oregon between Roseburg and Scottsburg along the Umpqua River.
Sometimes known as the Sister Cities, the two towns boast of a combined
population of 3.49 million Autobots, Humans and extra-terrestrials.

THANKS GOES TO JAYD HUNTER FOR RECONSTRUCTING THE
MAP OF DOUGLAS COUNTY, OREGON

CENTRAL CITY-A PLACE OF HISTORICAL WARFARE:

As the hot-spot for the Autobot-Decepticon war, Central City has often been the
chosen battlefield for the two factions. Anything, any place in the town
is considered fair game, whether or not the Autobots do what they can to protect
citizens and property.

In the months following the Reawakening, the
Decepticons made no attempt to be subtle. They immediately raided,
destroyed and plotted for global domination to rape the planet of its natural
resources. And because the Autobots were in a particular location, the
Decepticons, being the kind of creatures who are always out to pick a fight,
chose to fight in a location that at first, had no significant influence on
world powers. By the year 1987, however. all eyes turned to this little
town with a population of only 400,000. By the year 2021, Central
City boasted of a population of 2 million plus, including a mix of Humans,
Autobots (always consider that many Autobots are also former Paratrons) and
extra-terrestrials who come to live and conduct business with the Autobots and
other nations.

NORTH NORTH/EAST

Dead Town, Central City

Sitting in the far north end of town is Central City's
industrial complex. Complete with such manufactures as the Hershey Company, the
Pepsi-Cola Company, Walgreen's and Starbucks distribution centers, the
industrial complex also included such facilities as Harding Weapons
Manufacturing (Divide and Conquer). Maxwell Harding became one of the
world's leading weapons manufacture. But after the first Decepticon raid
in 1984 and the subsequent hijack of the plant later in 1985 (Megatron's Master
Plan), Maxwell Harding abandoned his plant-and the state- for a retirement
community in Alaska, leaving his daughter, Shelly Harding, the company and all
assets.

Inheriting her father's brilliance, Dr. Shelly Harding abandoned
the original campuses and buildings and turned the company into a satellite manufacturing facility, with
some success-which yet again was the target of Decepticon mayhem.

war
wounds

A good bit of
landscape around the north-eastern part of Central City was destroyed
during the first few months of the initial invasion. In most
cases, much of the land was repaired, but around Dead Town, some of the
more damaged ground became contaminated, incapable of growing anything for
many years.

Central City stretches a good 20
miles south to north.

Attempting to attain power, Sean Berger created a falsified power
plant located seven miles south of Harding Manufacturing.

"They drove into the seedy part of
town where a mall stood dark and empty. There were many such buildings in this
side of the city. This was Central City’s memorial to the destruction of the
Decepticons. This was where the great meteor ‘Meetorini-Chiparooni’ landed.
Echoes of a terrible battle between Optimus Prime and the Dinobots vibrated
against the walls. The Dinobot’s murder-lust left psychic footprints here.
"
"A dead factory stood here. Cold
steadfast walls marked by laser burns and graffiti stood against the cold. This
was where humans were enslaved by the Decepticons. Ninety-four people died
during Megatron’s reign of terror that year. Berger nearly lost his life. Many
battles had taken place in this part of town; many." --"Testament*

Harding Weapons Manufacturing
Complex-Western entrance

Abandoned complex, 1985

Umpqua River, North

Harding Complex-North-Eastern
grounds.

Dead Town-Spanish Ave

SOUTH

The life of the city

The arrival of the Transformers itself was enough to
irrevocably change Central City, its culture, people and setting. But
Cybertron was brought into Earth's orbit in 1984 (The Ultimate Doom) much of
Central City was devastated by natural disasters, battles fought between
Autobots and Decepticon and enslavement as procured by the nefarious Dr.
Archeville (who to this day still has a price on his head).

After thwarting Starscream's plot to annihilate the
Earth, the Autobots turned their time and resources into rebuilding all those
areas devastated during the Cybertronian orbital occupation. Then-mayor
Belsley, a cleaver businessman with incredible insight, offered a contract with
the Autobots: help rebuild Central City and we'll make it open, available and
fit for the Autobots. It was an offer Optimus Prime could not refuse.
It meant the city could be a partial home for his fellow Autobots, a place they
could feel welcomed.

It took several years' work to rebuild Central City
into the kind of town that was flexible enough to handle all kinds of
populations, Humans, Transformers and extra-terrestrials. But the time,
work and expense was all well worth it. Even as early as 1986/87 saw
great changes in building structures, widened roadways, the construction of the
phenomenal passways known as the Ribbon.

All this paved the way for a super-modern city that
brought greater wealth, diversity and beauty as not seen in any other area on
Earth.

Central City started out with
a population not much larger than that of Sacramento, California in the
year 2000.

Under Autobot influence, the city
took on a new look, offering such opportunities as space flight
programs and the formation of Earth Defense Command . . .

. . . and an education system designed to compete with alien economies
from around the galaxy.

Third time's a charm: The Cascade Stadium was built in 1985 as a gift by
Berger Enterprises. It was seriously damaged during the
Cybertronian Orbital Occupation. The Autobots helped repair it
just before they were found guilty of plotting against Humanity and
thereby exiled from Earth. During Megatron's reign, it was damaged
yet again as a show of power.

The following year Decepticon
Blitzwing used the stadium as a base of operations during his coup
against Megatron. The Autobots helped to repair it yet
again.

"Morgan Stadium was dedicated to
Jessica Morgan who risked her life to bring Optimus Prime back from the
death throws of a supernova. She died shortly after the Hate Plaque,
weakened by shock from injury during the Decepticon assault on Metroplex
in 2012. Optimus deeply grieved her loss and refused to attend the
funeral."--Testament: Chapter 8

DOWN TOWN

Even before the Transformers burst upon the world
with their technology, their alien ways and their war, Central City was a
slow-growing community slowly restructuring itself from the loss of the logging
industry that crippled so much of western Oregon. But unlike many of
its smaller neighboring towns, Central City did not suffer too great an economic
loss as there were other industries supporting the area. Two
universities (Cascade University and Douglas-Central) helped the community to
press forward. This led to an unexpected boom in small businesses
such as flower shops, video arcades and the usual plethora of 'mom-and-pop'
restaurants. Many of these businesses were found in the heart of the
revitalized down town area which included such places as "Billboard Row"
and the Little Tokyo District

Most ‘accessible’ (or Autobot-friendly)
buildings were built with the assistance of the Autobots, as Central City had
become more than just the closest town to Fort Max. Now it was a major
space port, a place often visited by aliens of all races and breeds. Built for
creatures of all sizes, most of the buildings were virtual works of art. The
roadways, too, were reconstructed, broadened in most places, to allow landing
space for triple changers. All the city’s modifications came out of the
Autobot’s expenses as Optimus wanted his people to adapt and melt into Human
society but not at the Humans’ expense. After all, no matter how much at home
the Autobots would feel on Earth, they would always still be guests.

Just south-east of downtown is the Mountainscape museum

Many of Central City's roadways were repaved and widened to accommodate
larger Transformers.

Courthouses, shopping malls, even many
cinemas were reconstructed to fit all sizes of Douglas county's citizens.

Sean W. Berger is another of Central City's more
prestigious citizens. His wealth and power have certainly turned more than
one head in his direction-and more to the point, even unwanted attention has
been garnered his way. Sean Berger, the son of Don and Ludmilla
Berger, started his great wealth as early as nineteen years when he made his
first thousand through the stock market. As bright as Sean Berger was, he
suffered from inferiority and had a difficult time dealing with people.
The consequences of his dealing with the Decepticons left his company in a
shambles. But five years later, Berger was able to pull out of bankruptcy.
But his reputation was ruined and he spent the rest of his life in atonement.
Part of his City Compensation Program was the refunding and replacement of all
public transportation throughout Central City, which later on extended to Fort
Max under the direction of Berger's only son, Jarek.

Central City Bank-owned by Berger Enterprises.

Cascade College-funded in part by Berger Enterprises.

Dealing with Decepticons-not always the best way to attain a good
reputation.

Why would any sane individual pack his/her family
and move from any section of the country to live in Central City, where they
know danger is imminent? Many experts mused over this oddity for years.
But people were looking for opportunity-something many of them did not have in
other places. Scientists, doctors, artists, contractors all moved to
Central City for the chance at a better, more fulfilled life.

Central City was often the target of Decepticon hostility if for no
other reason than its vicinity to the Autobots.

Massive reconstruction projects have given Central City new life, every
few years-

-all such reconstruction have been at the Autobot's expense.

While the DSR epic does not go into great detail
regarding the extra-terrestrial life forms living on Earth, anyone studying
Human culture during the Cybertronian Occupational Years will take note how a
strong 1/4 of Central City's population was indeed inhabited by people from a
few other worlds. Most of them were travelers, either on business or
wandering about the galaxy like lost transients. Most of the aliens have
been harmless, passing through on visas provided by the host nation they
visited. At first the Autobots kept tabs on extra-terrestrial visitors
until Human science was able to catch up to the Transformer's. The biggest
concern of alien visitation to Earth was the spread of disease and contamination
of foreign life forms that could be harmful to Earth's native plant and animal
populations. For that very reason, the Autobots created specific landing
platforms in Metroplex, Central City (in the 1990's) and later in Fortress
Maximus.

Influenced by Autobot and other
extra-terrestrial designs, many cities on Earth were reconstructed with
size and shape flexibility.

Because many Human cities were
willing to accommodate the Autobots, Optimus Prime felt compelled to
build other cities on Earth.

Metroplex was moved to New York in
2013 following the crusade on Nebulos.

But
like so many other things in life, nothing is perfect.
Overcrowding created slum areas and often times 'undesirables' would
nest in the slums and prey on the weak and helpless. As always,
the Autobots took up the responsibility and have partnered with those
cities struck most with rampant crime, dealing mostly with
extra-terrestrial invaders, and leaving Human criminals to their own
kind.

WEST

Unlike much of the rest of Central City, the western
section offers little in the way of history-with the exceptions of Astrotrain's
historical harassment when he and Blitzwing tried their coup against Megatron.
For the most part, western Central City is the quieter side, offering clean
neighborhoods, several parks (owned and maintained by Hybrid Technologies
Corporation, (Hy-Tech) under the direction of their chairman, Astoria Carlton-Ritz ) and generous view of the skyline at night (which is why Chafferson
Observatory is located in that direction) and of course, the train station.

C.O.B.R.A. terrorist organization: Alive and well in Central City

2 1/2 to 3 hours from Central City
and Fort Max is the Pacific Coastline.

Lake of the Cascades was not formed
and adapted by Central City until late 1980's Not only does
the lake offer recreational and sporting attractions, but underground
streams feed hydroelectric plants that help power and sustain the city.

Such a nuisance! The train yard in Central City: West had to be
renovated, and 3/5 of all locomotives had to be replaced after
Astrotrain's coup attempt in 1985
.Damages resulting from the Triplechanger's coup cost upwards of
$200,000,000.

Several of the cities largest
companies, including Harding Manufacturing, C2HmZ Chemical Monster
Beverage Company and Platter's
Automotive worked with the Autobots and Douglas County to recover those
areas destroyed by floodwaters. Today much of those areas in the
western part of town have been rebuilt into shopping and residential
districts.

Chafferson
Observatory, where Chip Chase's father, Dr Orland Chase worked until he
retired in 1989

Glider's Park Reserve is one of several parks located in and around
Central City owned and maintained by Hybrid Technologies. Glider's
Park offers such attractions as a flight museum, a butterfly exhibition
hall and a playground designed for adults.

THE RIBBON

Ten years in the making, the
super highway overpass leads to and from Central City in every direction
imaginable. Not only does the Ribbon contribute to the city as a lifeline
to and from the world beyond the Cascade Mountains, but it has become something
of a tourist attraction. The Ribbon's unique architecture is the
brainchild of Autobot architect Grapple who worked feverishly to design a system
of roads that could accommodate Humans AND Autobots-particularly Triplechangers
like Springer- landing in the city from the sky, or taking off at a moment's
notice. There is not one other place in the world where traffic runs more
smoothly than on the Ribbon. As to date, there have only been 4
fatalities-all of which were caused by black ice along the northern on-ramps.

At one point, it was thought the
Ribbon was a part of the highway maze created by the Constructicons
under the direction of Triplechanger Blitzwing in 1988.

Fortunately enough, the rumors were
untrue; Grapple "would never touch anything so flimsy and poorly
designed". In fact, the maze was torn down in 1992 and sold
in pieces world-wide for bridgework.

If the Ribbon were stretched end to
end, it would entail approximately 250 miles of roadwork. That's
the same distance as Redding, California to San Francisco!

So well-built and resilient is the
Ribbons' construction, that in the year 2052, it was the one structure
in Central City that remained intact after the Quintesson Occupation of
Earth.

THE GATEWAY PASS

The Gateway Pass, or the Intermoutain road, between
Fortress Maximus and Central City is like a lifeline between two lovers.
Everything from fuel and consumable goods to business dealings come and go
between the Sister Cities along this Pass. Due to heavy traffic and a few
tight turns, the Gateway Pass is carefully monitored and kept in tip-top
condition at all times of the year.

Because o f steep mountains and
sneaky turns, there are no 'backroads' to or from Fort Max and Central
City.

Prior to the Pass, there was no other roadway
to Central City other than a few dirt roads used by the forest service and I-10
leading to I-5.

Between repeated Decepticon trouble, 'red
tape' and hot political debates regarding the Transformers invasion, it took the
Autobots a good four months to pave and build the Pass.

Because there is no railroad between Central
City and Fort Max, truckers were the only means of deliver to and from cities,
even after the mega-modern transportation of shuttles. Optimus Prime saw
to it that truckers were well compensated for their time and stress along the
Pass by allowing them to stay for free in Autobot City.

Stan's Last Chance was the only small
business permitted along the Pass. But after Chip Chase escaped Megatron
during the Decepticon occupation of Central City, the Decepticons saw to it the
rest stop did not service anyone again.

Speeding is something of a problem
along the path coming down from the Gateway and entering Central City
limits. Crazy drivers have been clocked entering the south end of
town at speeds as high as 110 mph.